[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 7 (Friday, January 10, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1774-1776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00169]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0164; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-10-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Austro Engine GmbH Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-14-
08 that applies to all Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines. AD 2013-14-
08 requires removing from service certain part number (P/N) waste gate 
controllers. Since we issued AD 2013-14-08 we received several reports 
of power loss events due to fracture of the waste gate controller 
lever. This proposed AD would require removing certain P/N waste gate 
controllers from service. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure 
of the waste gate controller lever, which could lead to damage to one 
or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Austro 
Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A-2700 Weiner Neustadt, Austria; 
phone: +43 2622 23000; fax: +43 2622 23000-2711; Internet: 
www.austroengine.at. You may

[[Page 1775]]

view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0164; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0164; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-10-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On July 10, 2013, we issued AD 2013-14-08, Amendment 39-17513 (78 
FR 42677, July 17, 2013), (``AD 2013-14-08''), for all Austro Engine 
GmbH model E4 engines. AD 2013-14-08 requires removing from service 
certain P/N waste gate controllers. AD 2013-14-08 resulted from several 
reports of power loss events due to fracture of the waste gate 
controller lever. We issued AD 2013-14-08 to prevent failure of the 
waste gate controller lever, which could lead to damage to one or more 
engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2013-14-08 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-14-08, we received notification of 
additional waste gate controller P/Ns that require removal from 
service. Also since we issued AD 2013-14-08, the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) has issued AD 2013-0213, dated September 13, 2013, 
which requires removal and replacement of affected waste gate 
controllers. We also changed the unsafe condition statement in AD 2013-
14-08 to clarify the relationship between the unsafe condition and the 
engine.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Austro Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. MSB-
E4-007/6, Revision 6, dated September 18, 2013. The service information 
describes procedures for removal and installation of the waste gate 
controllers.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2013-
14-08. This proposed AD would expand the applicability by adding 
additional P/Ns of affected waste gate controllers.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 128 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 0.5 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $231 per 
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of this 
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $35,008.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2013-14-08, Amendment 39-17513 (78 FR 42677, July 17, 2013), and adding 
the following new AD:


[[Page 1776]]


Austro Engine GmbH Engines: Docket No. FAA-2013-0164; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-NE-10-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by March 11, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-14-08, Amendment 39-17513 (78 FR 
42677, July 17, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines, with 
a waste gate controller, part number (P/N) E4A-41-120-000, Revision 
060, or lower revision; or a waste gate controller, P/N E4B-41-120-
000, Revision 010, or lower revision, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by engine power loss events due to fracture 
of the waste gate controller lever. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the waste gate controller lever, which could lead 
to damage to one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage 
to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    (1) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (2) At the next maintenance action for any reason, or within 110 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, or within three 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, 
remove from service waste gate controller, P/N E4A-41-120-000, 
Revision 060, or lower revision, and waste gate controller, P/N E4B-
41-120-000, Revision 010 or lower revision.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any waste 
gate controller, P/N E4A-41-120-000, Revision 060, or lower 
revision, or waste gate controller, P/N E4B-41-120-000, Revision 
010, or lower revision, onto any engine, nor approve for return to 
service any engine that has either waste gate controller installed.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0213, 
dated September 13, 2013, for more information. You may examine the 
MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0164-0002.
    (3) Austro Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-E4-007/6, 
Revision 6, dated September 18, 2013, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD, can be obtained from Austro Engine GmbH, using 
the contact information in paragraph (h)(4) of this AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A-2700 Weiner 
Neustadt, Austria; phone: +43 2622 23000; fax: +43 2622 23000-2711; 
Internet: www.austroengine.at.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 31, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-00169 Filed 1-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P